Ho Chi Minh City Hotel Tips by NedHopkins

I booked a room on the hotel's "executive floors" (10-14). That entitled me to access to the executive lounge -- free breakfast as well as snacks and drinks throughout the day, magazines and newspapers, and interenet access. That made the extra $20 a day I paid well worth it.

The room was large and well appointed, with a queen size bed, desk, chairs, and sofa; also an in-room safe, and a large bathroom with more than the usual accessories.

Unique Qualities: Large pool; three fine restaurants (Vietnamese/international, Chinese, and Japanese), plus a lobby bar serving snacks and 24-hour room service; nice shops.

Leave a Comment

Theme: Hotel
Comparison: more expensive than average
Prices: US$80-120  » Currency Converter
Phone: 822.8888
Address: 76 Le Lai Street, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City nul
Directions: A bit remote from central Saigon and the most interesting sites.
Website: www.newworldvietnam.com

I booked and paid for a Deluxe room through Asia Trails. I was put into a Superior room -- tiny, poorly furnished, and dark. (Its one window looked into an air shaft.)

I complained to a desk clerk and an assistant manager. Both told me that anyone who books a Deluxe room through a travel agent gets only a Superior room. What a rip-off. (When I asked if people booking a Superior room through a travel agent had to sleep in the lobby, I was met with blank stares.)

Aside from its historical interest and location, there is little to recommend the Rex. It is generally seedy, the service is perfunctory.

Of the seven hotels I stayed in during a month-long trip to Cambodia and Vietnam, this is the only one I disliked. And I disliked it a lot.

Unique Qualities: The Vietnamese restaurant on the ground floor -- patronized, it seemed, mostly by non-residents -- and the rooftop buffet were the Rex's only good features. Overall the hotel is run-down, something of a dump, albeit a four-star dump.

Leave a Comment

Theme: Hotel
Comparison: more expensive than average
Prices: US$40-80  » Currency Converter
Address: 141 NGUYEN HUE STREET, Ho Chi Minh City, VI 70000
Directions: In the central square, facing a statue of Ho Chi Minh embracing children.